The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) urged the public in a statement yesterday to stay alert to hill-fire risks as Macau enters the cool and dry autumn–winter season, noting that falling humidity has made countryside areas increasingly vulnerable to fires.
IAM said in the statement that the shift to dry northerly and northeasterly winds in the autumn and winter typically lowers humidity, potentially turning fallen leaves and wilted branches into highly flammable fuel, stressing that once ignited, hill fires spread rapidly and are difficult to control, posing threats to ecosystems as well as lives and property.
In the statement, the bureau reminded residents that, when hiking, they must not light fires or cook outside designated barbecue areas. It also warned against smoking or discarding cigarette ends in the countryside.
The statement said that anyone who notices signs of a hill fire should immediately leave the area and report the incident to the emergency services. In addition, the bureau also urged hikers to plan their routes carefully, monitor weather changes and adjust or cancel their outings if necessary.
Other recommended preparations include carrying a sufficient amount of drinking water and other essential items, as well as a smartphone and a first-aid kit, the statement said. Moreover, it called on the public not to discard rubbish while out and about to help protect the natural environment.
The bureau also said in the statement that vigilance and responsible behaviour are essential for preventing hill fires during the current dry season, urging residents to act cautiously to safeguard Macau’s countryside.
This poster provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday promotes its hill-fire precautions to ensure public safety when visiting the countryside.
